ARCHIPELAGO Critical Incident Stress Management Society - Founded 2005

The Archipelago Critical Incident Stress Management Society (ACISMS) is a volunteer organization made up of mental health professionals and fire rescue peer support personnel who are specially trained in stress management, peer support and critical incident stress management processes.  The society provides: education and awareness programs, a referral network, and critical incident stress interventions such as group defusings and debriefings.

Geoff Spriggs President & Leigh Blaney Clinical Coordinator

 

The Society will respond to the needs of emergency service and health care personnel who require assistance in dealing with traumatic incidents.  A team can be mobilized to provide on-site defusing if required, or a formal debriefing within 96 hours after an incident has occurred.  The education and intervention processes adhere to the guidelines developed by Dr. Jeffrey Mitchell at the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and utilize a health promotion approach. Individuals are not charged for intervention services.  

The goals and structure of services within the critical incident stress management program differ, and it will be the Society's responsibility to decide which intervention is most appropriate.  Any emergency responders directly involved in an incident can access the Society's services.  Spouses and individuals not directly involved in the call usually are not included in defusings or debriefings; other forms of assistance and education may be more appropriate and referrals are provided. The Society will also respond to community requests for consultation and direct service as time and resources permit. Any agency or service may make contact with the Society's executive members to initiate their request for critical incident stress intervention or for education.